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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. R. R. ASHTON 8v E. J. KELLY. MAGAZINE FIREARM. No. 537,958.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. T. R. R. ASHTON & E. J. KELLY.

MAGAZINE IIREARM. No. 537,958. Patented Apr. 23, 1895.

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STATES THOMAS R. R. ASHTON, OF DENILIQUIN, NEV SOUTH WALES, AND EDVARD J. KELLY, OF TERANG, VICTORIA.

MAGAZINE-FIREARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,958, dated April 23, 1895.

Application tiled August 2l, 1894. Serial No. 520,879. (No model.) i

To @ZZ whom t may concern/ Be it known that we, THOMAS ROBERT RA- NEY ASHTON, a resident Of Deniliquin, in the Oolony of New South ValeS, and EDWARD 5 JOHN KELLY, a resident of Terang, in the Oolony of Victoria, mechanical engineers, subjects of the Queen ot' Great Britain and Ireland, have invented Improvements in Magazine-Firearms, of which the following is a rc specilication.

The object of our invention is to provide improvements in tire-arms, the arm containing said improvements being usable with or without a magazine and being Well adapted to meet the requirements of modern warfare.

The utility of small arms depends upon the extent to which they possess the following features:-tirst, capacity for rapid recharging with a supply of cartridges, and rapid tir zo ing Oft in succession of the cartridges in the magazine; second, fewness, simplicity and ease of manual operations required in tiring and reloading, avoiding strain on the hand after muchA ring, and avoiding failures dur- 2'5 ing warfare to manage the hre-arm, by men of weak nerves or small intelligence which would occur if the operations were complicated or required close attention; and thirdly, durability and suitability of construction whereby the arm does not get out of order easily, and is comfortable and safe to carry. Much attention has been paid by inventors to these points, but room still exists for improvements. Our tire arm can be replenished with a supply Of cartridges while held to the shoulder, without greatly disturbing the aim. It does not require much intelligence or careful attention from the user to prevent failures in its use. It does not unduly tire the operator; and, in particular the number of cartridges which can be red from it in a given time is, comparatively speaking very high.

Our invention relates to the mechanism for storing, loading, tiring and extracting ammunition, and not to the stock or its accessories.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, whioh form a part of this specification, and show parts of a magazine ride containing our improvements Figure l is a sectional plan view on the line Y Y in Figs. 2 and 8. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partlyin section on line Z-Z in Fig. S-tl e., with the near side of the casting and other parts removed, to show interior parts of the arm, in cocked position ready to fire. Fig. 3 represents the parts shown in Fig. 2 but in the position they assume when (after firing) the empty shell has been extracted from the breech, and is beginning to be ejected through the side of the`6o arm. Fig. ealso shows the parts represented in Fig. 2 but in the position they assume when the arm has been fired by pulling the trigger. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan View from above on the line Q Q in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a 65 plan view from above of the exterior of the body of the arm showing a magazine in position. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of various parts of the action within the interior of the arm. Fig. 8 represents a transverse ver- 7 n tical section, partly in elevation through the line -X X in Fig. 2 and looking toward the breech. Fig. 9 is a perspective exterior view of that part of the arm which carries the magazine.

In the drawings the same letters and numerals of reference are used to denote like parts.

We do not confine ourselves to the precise relative sizes of parts or to the design of them, which may be varied within reasonable lim- 8o its without departing from the essential features which constitute our improvements.

In the drawings, A is the body or outer case which may be in several parts suitably connected to allow access when required to the 8 5 interior for cleaning or other purposes.

B is the breech of the barrel.

E is a longitudinally sliding bolt which opens or closesthe breech, and has no turning mOtiOn. 9o

O is the firing pin or striker Working within a chamber in the breech-bolt E and having a flange near the fore-end, said striker being actuated by the main spring, D, which operates in said chamber between C and E as shown. C cannot turn in E as its rear end has plane sides which meet the plane sides C' of the interior of E. The rear of O extends down- Ward, the front of the extension having a step or notch L and the compression of the roo springD is effected by the engagement of the sear M in front of L. See Fig. 2.

F is a central lug projecting downwardly from the front of E.

G is a pin rigidly fixed transversely through the base of F.

K is the loading and extracting handle or lever having an inner forked end, within the body of the arm, said end being pivoted to G by an elongated slot H, the lever also being pivoted to the pin W which passes through l'ugs IQl under the body and through an elongated slot I as shown.

P is the trigger pivoted at P and adapted to engage one end of the lever O which is pivoted at O. The slots 2l and 22 in the body A allow the necessary motion to the le- Ver K and trigger P respectively. I/Vhen. the trigger is pulled, the other end of lever O bears down upon and depresses a pin N which is transversely fixed through the base of a bar N-which passes through an aperture in a cross piece R and is maintained in a vertical position by the cross piece R2, havingan aperture into which the top of N passes,

the depression of N by the trigger not causing said top to entirely leave said aperture. The scar M (which can only move vertically) is flxedly connected to N, so that pulling the trigger removes M from the front of L and allows the compressed spring D to propel for ward the striker C with sufficient violence to discharge the cartridge B.

R is the trigger spring which extends from R to M, keeping the latter pressed upward, and thus normally keeping the arm cocked.

A flat trigger spring acting upon N or M might be substituted for R if preferred.

S S are a pair of levers (a single lever only might be used in some cases) pivoted at their rear ends to the base of the bolt locking block S, and pivoted to the body at S2 and having each a foreend transverse projection S3 with which the transverse projections K on K engage when the handle K is swung forward. The latter action raises the fore-end of S and depresses the rear thus drawing down the block S free of the breech bolt E, but normally S is kept up, (Within the close fitting grooves or bearings S4 in A) behind the' bolt E by the pressure ot' the spring U which is kept always Vertical by the interior pin V the top of which passes into the hole T in S.

E is the extractor articulated about mid- Way of its length to the front solid part of bolt E, said bolt having a recess E2 behind said articulation. The channel E( above the top of the bolt E and in the case A, is such that E7 (the hook) must remain down while the bolt is closed as in Figs. 2 and 4 and also while 'said extractor is being withdrawn or advanced except that when in discharging a cartridge shell, E3 (Fig. 3) the bolt E is brought to about its extreme rear position, the hook E7 of the extractor rises, and frees the shell which then rolls out of the arm. When the tail of the extractor E meets the inclined plane E4 said tail is automatically depressed causing E7 to rise. When a new cartridge has taken the place of E3 in Fig. 3 and the bolt E is carried forward, the inclined plane E5 (which forms a roof of the rearward extension of slot E6) depresses E as in Fig. 2. The hook E might be so placed as to grasp the rim or other gripping place of the cartridge at the moment of tiring so that the drawing rearward' of the bolt E will immediately begin to extract the shell, but by having E7 (in the positions of Figs. 2 and 4) slightly forward of the rim or other gripping place, E will (in the opening action) be drawn back slightly `from the shell,leaving space between them, before E7 begins to extract shell. The purpose of this -is explained subsequently.

A (see Fig. 8) is a laterally inclined table having a central longitudinal slot A2 and two other longitudinal slots A3 and A4 one at each side. A2 has passing through it the lug F on the bolt E and allows said lug to ltravel forward or back. A3 and A4 are to allow two dogs or limbs 3, 4, (described hereinafter) to rise or descend through them.

/Vhen after firing a cartridge (see Fig. 4) the lever K is grasped by the handle, and swung round on its axis W to the position iu Fig. 3, and then brought home as in Fig. 2, that action causes the fire-arm to be unlocked, opened, emptied of the cartridge shell, reloaded, closed, cocked and locked again ready for tiring, provided that at the time ot' moving K there is another carriage as B2 (Figs. l and S) in the magazine box B.

We shall now describe our improvements relating to reloading.

2 is a lever pivoted at G to one side of the body, A having its rear end normally kept up as in Figs. ,2 and4bya spring 7. Its foreend is pivoted to the lower part of the dog 4 the foot of the latter being also pivoted to one end of a transverse rocking lever (or pair of levers) 9 which is (or are) centrally pivoted at l0 as shown, and pivoted at the other end to the foot of the dog 3. Normally the end 8 remains depressed so that 4 is de.- pressed, while 3 is raised through the slot A2. No movement in these parts takes place until the lever K is actuated to extract the shell E3 (Fig.'3) but when the lever K is in the position there shown the projection K2 strikes and depresses the rear extremity 5 of the lever 2, thus raising the end 8 and with it the dog 4 and consequently lowering the dog 3. This allows the shell E3 to roll out, and prevents the new cartridge B2 rolling. In returning the lever K to its normal position the first part of its motion carries the lug K2 upward, untilthat end of the slotH bears against the pin G. Simultaneously with this motion,

the spring 7 presses the end 5 up, thus drawing down 4 and raising 3 again, and consequently the next cartridge B2 immediately rolls down the incline onto the table A in front of the bolt E, being prevented from falling out of the arm by the dog 3. The pins 11 projecting from the body through a vertical slot in 3, 4 serve to prevent the latter sagging.

In the position of Fig. 3 the action is fully open and the springsR and u are compressed. The opening is accomplished first by drawing down the locking block S (Fig. 4) and then sliding back the bolt E (which carries with it the striker C). The front of the slot C is marked C2 and is beveled so as to prevent obstruction by orto M. It has been explained that S is depressed clear of E by S S which are actuated by K K. In movingK to effect this, the lower end of the slot H is first brought against the pin G and the further motion of K carries E back. This is easily effected, since the length of K outside of the axis tu is much greater' than its length inside, so that a powerful leverage is gained.

In order to load, close and lock the arm all that is necessary is to pull home the handle of K. The first part of the motion of K merely causes the end on which is the slot H, to move forward, and causes the shell E3 to be ejected and a new cartridge to take its place. The entrance and exit apertures for cartridges in the sides of A are marked 13 and 14 respectively. The further motion of K carries the bolt E forward until the new cartridge is home. The part M pressing on the under side of E rises as the slot C passes over it, and catching against the notch L the forward motion of C is arrested, and M at the same time cocks the trigger. VAs E is still moved forward the spring D is necessarily compressed. When E closes the breech, the block S is thrown up close behind E by the compressed spring U and the parts are then ready for firing. The rifleman has only two parts to operate, vizz-the lever K and the triggerP and their relative position in our invention, enables these parts to be repeatedly operated with great rapidity Without disturbing the general aim. As an indicator, as to whether the trigger is cocked or not, either the pin N (or a separate pin on the bar N) may extend to the exterior of the body through a slot N2 on one side of A so that the outer end (N3) is visible to the rifiemen, its position indicating the position of the trigger action. (See Fig. 6.) If it be desired to have the spring D eased, while an unfired cartridge is in the breech all that is necessary when drawing rearward the handle of K is to keep M down by pressure 011 the trigger P. This will allow L to pass M thus taking the position shown in Fig. et.

f an unfired cartridge is to be extracted the lever K is operated without first pulling the trigger. As soon as the block S (Fig. 2) is lowered the spring D will expand either rapidly or otherwise according to the speed with which K is being moved'. This causes F to be retracted, either rapidly or otherwise and causes the point of C to be protruded through the fore-end of E. It also causes the hook E7 to extract the cartridge but leaving sufficient space between the latter and the end of E so that the striker cannot cause an explosion. As the extractor gets into motion before the hook begins to pull out the cartridge there is also a momentum gained by which the extraction of the cartridge is facilitated.

We will now describe our magazine receiver more particularly shown by B3 in Figs. 6, 8 and 9. This receptacle is a box situated on the upper right side of the body just behind the breech. The box rises up on three sides above the body, and has the front open to enable a magazine to be pushed into or out of it. There are two longitudinal interior grooves marked 15 one in each side, to receive the-lips of the magazines. A spring 16 and a locking bolt 17 are provided in the respective sides as shown,for the purpose of locking the magazine in place when the latter has been inserted. Instead of a spring and a bolt there might be two springs only, or two bolts, or other obvious modilication. The spring is designed to be automatic in its action that is to say, while ordinarily holding the magazine B4 in place, as by its. foreend pressing in front of a shoulder 18 it will retract when the magazine is deliberately and with force pushed forward from the rear and thus allow the magazine to be removed and it will also retract by the pressure of a new magazine, sufficiently to allow the, latter to be slipped on. The bolt 17 has its forcend 20 and the rear end 19 turned up atright angles to its length and is actuated by the ritlemen from the rear. When the end 19 is horizontal, the fore-end 2O locks against the magazine in front of the shoulder thereof, shown, and when the end 19 is turned to point vertically, the end 2O also points vertically so unlocking the magazine. The advantage of this is that the bolt lock can be used or not, as required, and that in all cases it can be seen by inspection whether the said lock is on or not. Obviously for the fastest firing the bolt would not be put on, the spring lock being sufficient when the firing is approximately horizontal.

It will thus be seen that our magazine receptacle, with its parts, firmly supports the magazine in an upright position and prevents its displacement in any direction. Owing to the support it gives, the magazine itself may be made of very thin inexpensive sheet metal without liability to injury from recoil.

In another application for a patent made by us we have described and claimed certain improvements in magazines for fire-arms in which magazines one element is that the lid of the magazine forms its bottom, and is adapted to slip off as the magazine is being inserted on the arm. Our magazine receptacle B3 as herein described is adapted to receive such magazines. WVhen a magazine as B4 is in place it is evident that the cartridge will fall down until the lower one meets the base of the receptacle B3. This support forms IOO IIO

a curved orsloping upward continuation of the table A and continues into the sides of the receptacle.

It will be evident that our rearm can be used as a single loader, Without the employment of any magazine by simply dropping a cartridge into the box B3 so lthat by making the sides of B3 high enough space Will exist for any required stock of cartrides. Such an arrangement would Work usefully in combination with the other improvements We have described.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, We declare that what We claim is 1. The combination with an operating lever K having an exterior handle, and an elongated slot I, said lever pivoted to the arm by a pin through the said slot and having van inner end provided with a slot H, of a pin G which passes through the said end slot transversely and which is fixed on a lug F on the breech bolt, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with a breech bolt, a breech bolt locking block, a centrally pivoted lever S connecting at one end with said block and an operating lever K, engaging with the opposite free end of the said lever S to actuate the same substantially as described.

3. In combination with a lever S pivoted centrally and extending longitudinally of the casing, a breech bolt locking-block connected to one end of said lever, transverse lugs on the opposite end ot said lever and a lever K having lugs engaging said lugs on the lever S substantially as described.

4. In combination,.a breech bolt, a locking block therefor sliding vertically, a spring beneath said block and positively operating means for the block, consisting of the pivoted lever S engaging said block at one end and the lever K engaging the opposite end of the lever S substantially as described.

5. In combination, a breech bolt, a locking block, a pin fitting an opening in said block and a spring inclosing 'the pin and bearing against 'the block, with means for operating the block positively in one direction, substantially as described.-

6. In combination a casing, a breech bolt Within the same, an extractor having tilting movement on the bolt, the. 'casing above the bolt and extractor being grooved to receive the same and providedwith inclined planes for giving tilting movement to the extractor substantially 'as described.

7. In combination in a fire arm, a breech bolt, a lever K for operating it, cut oft dogs, a lever 5 operated by the lever K and intermediate connections between the lever 5 and cut oft dogs, substantially as described.

S. In combination in a tire arm, a breech bolt, a lever K for operating it, said lever K being loosely pivoted by a slotted connection at the point W, an extension of said lever above the pivot., said extension being slotted and lugs K K2 at the ends of the slotted part, the said Aparts operating substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof we have hereunto setour hands in the presence'of two subscribing Witnesses.

THOMAS R. R. ASHTON. EDWARD J. KELLY.`

Witnesses:

GEORGE G. TURRI, E. F. NICHOLLs. 

